Watercraft lift and automatic watercraft cover

ABSTRACT

A boat lift with hydraulically or mechanically actuated arms which self-installs a fitted three-dimensional boat cover on a powerboat. The control logic of the system allows for cover operation only when the lift is raised. A spring-tensioned roller keeps the cover tight and self-rolls the cover on the roller when the actuated arms are pivoted forward. The roller is hidden behind the boat in ‘cover-on’ position. A slip clutch prevents the torsion spring from being over tightened. The forward position of the roller is adjusted by adjusting the hydraulic cylinder length. The rearward position of the roller is adjusted by limiting the retracted position of the hydraulic cylinder. A non-hydraulic embodiment actuates the cover when the lift is operated.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication No. 61/991,214 filed May 9, 2014.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to free-standing and other watercraftlifts and watercraft covers for use with watercraft lifts.

2. Description of the Related Art

The use of boat covers to protect boats is well known. A number ofdesigns are currently known to perform this basic operation. Many boatshave multi-section covers, often with one covering the bow section andanother covering the aft section. The covers are typically shaped tocover at least portions of the three-dimensional shape of a boat and aremanually spread out over the boat and then manually attached using snapor other fasteners. The bow section is attached with fasteners aroundthe perimeter of the bow section especially when there is a bow opening.The aft section is attached to fasteners on the windshield, or in frontof the windshield, as well with fasteners around the perimeter of theaft section. This common cover system has several negative aspects forthe user. The large number of snaps or other fasteners used make thecovers time consuming to install. The covers are often difficult toinstall after the material ages. The covers are large and awkward tostore on-board. The covers can be dirty, and unpleasant to handle. Thecovers tend to lose shape, causing pockets of water, which further causea loss of shape and pools of water. The covers do not cover asignificant amount of hull surface surrounding the covers, and do notcover significant portions of the sides of the boat with which used,which causes fading in the sun and does not protect these areas fromdirt. The covers provide no security, which makes the contents of theboat and the boat itself vulnerable to theft.

Several two-dimensional automatic cover designs are currently known.U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,198 uses a rotating arm to pull a flat cover overthe top of a dump truck to secure the contents. This design would not beideal for use with a boat lift since the cover is two-dimensional,non-adjustable and would be impractical to fit the three-dimensionalshapes of various boat types with which the lift might be used. Thetorsional spring of the roller is also subject to over-tightening.

It is known to use a two dimensional cover design similar to U.S. Pat.No. 3,549,198 for application on a portable boat lift with a pontoonboat. Such a design does not provide protection to the sides of theboat. It also is more vulnerable to side wind, since it has exposededges that catch the wind. Both designs use a roller fixed to the front,and a set of arms which pull the cover rearward like a window shade.This type of design is undesirable for an application on a boat, sincethe cover slides over parts of the boat, causing cover wear, andpotential boat damage. The fixed cover in the front also blocks viewsand is not attractive since the roller remains visible at the front evenwhen the cover is deployed. Pulling the cover from a fixed roller in thefront also can cause damage to the cover and boat by dragging the coveron the boat. Further, the lift with the cover similar to that describedin the U.S. Pat. No. 3,549,198 patent does not provide any protectionagainst operation of the lift when the cover is deployed, which cancause cover or boat damage, especially if installed on lifts thattranslate rearward when lowering, such as the lift of U.S. Pat. No.5,908,264. Since the lift of this patent with the cover similar to U.S.Pat. No. 3,549,198 Patent does not use the same remote control, anotherdrawback is that the user is required to operate it separately from theautomatic boat cover. It is also desirable to be able to manually adjustthe cover when operating in case it is not seating correctly.

U.S. patents such as U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,019,212 and 6,786,171 describe acover system that does not touch the boat. These systems have a fixedroof with structure and retractable sides that completely surround thewatercraft. The tall sides of these systems block views and are morevulnerable to wind. For use on a free-standing boat lift, the fixed roofstructure can make the lift vulnerable to tipping. Because of the fixedroof, these systems often require permitting and are highly regulated.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,212 is a device that attaches to a free-standingboat lift and lifts the cover off vertically. This design requires anexternal frame and overhead structure to lift the frame. The design isnot conducive to covering the full sides of the watercraft. Since thecover still creates a shadow over the water when the boat is off thelift, this design would often be regulated as a canopy or coveredmoorage and not as a boat cover.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,911,174 solves the challenges above, but did not addresssome additional challenges. In the U.S. Pat. No. 8,911,174 patent thestarting and ending position of the roller is important for cover fitand cover storage position. In that patent, the starting and endingposition of the swing arm is adjusted by moving the upper cylinder pivotposition along the swing arm. This adjustment is complicated since anadjustment impacts both the forward and rear position at the same time.These adjustments are made underwater, making adjustments even morechallenging.

The lift of the U.S. Pat. No. 8,911,174 patent prevents lowering theboat with the cover on by using a hydraulic switching manifold thatswitches the operation from lift mode to cover mode, and will not switchto lift mode unless cover is fully off.

The U.S. Pat. No. 8,911,174 patent uses a torsion spring to roll up thecover and to apply tension on the cover, which is important foroperating the cover in the wind. Since more cover tension can beperceived as beneficial, the operator can over tension the torsionspring and cause spring damage.

The automatic boat cover of the U.S. Pat. No. 8,911,174 patent iscostly, largely due to the hydraulic and control systems.

Applying the U.S. Pat. No. 8,911,174 patent to a boat lift with alifting cradle, lifted by cables, is challenging since the pivotposition under the boat may limit minimum water depth. If the pivotposition is raised, the loads applied to the swing arm get very high asthe angle of the arm gets very shallow in the forward and rearpositions.

The automatic boat cover of the U.S. Pat. No. 8,911,174 patent uses acustom fit cover for the boat. The design of this cover is difficult forsome boats that have protruding features such as antennas and/or fishinggear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a side view of a boat on a lift in accordance with anembodiment of the present invention with the cover in an ‘Off’ position.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the boat on the lift with cover in a ‘PartiallyOn’ position.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the boat on the lift with cover in an ‘On’position.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the lift and cover without a boat.

FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the lift and cover showing inner handles.

FIG. 6 is an isometric view of the lift with a boat showing rear detailsof cover.

FIG. 7 is a side view of an adjustable arm of the lift.

FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a hydraulic powerpack of the lift.

FIG. 9 is a section view of the slip clutch side of the roller assembly.

FIG. 10 is an isometric exploded view of the slip clutch side of theroller assembly.

FIG. 11 is an isometric view of the clutch side of the roller assembly.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of the adjustable length hydrauliccylinder.

FIG. 13 is an isometric view of the adjustable screw end of thehydraulic cylinder.

FIG. 14 is an isometric view of the hydraulic cylinder shown in aretracted position.

FIG. 15 is an enlarged isometric view of the retracted hydrauliccylinder end.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the swing arm actuated by the boat lift.

FIG. 17 is a front view of the swing arm actuated by the boat lift andthe cover hoops.

FIG. 18A is a side view of the lift of FIG. 1 showing a limit switch.

FIG. 18B is an enlarged aft, port side portion of the lift of FIG. 18A.

FIG. 19 is an isometric view showing a cable actuated swing arm in rearposition, with a guide track.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a cable actuated swing arm in forwardposition.

FIG. 21 is a portable boat lift with a cable actuated automatic boatcover.

FIG. 22 is an isometric view of a boat lift with a cable actuatedautomatic boat cover with a winch.

FIG. 23 is an isometric view of an automatic cover system used with awheeled vehicle.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention generally relates to a watercraft lift system generallyused for lifting powerboats under 30 feet long, however, the designcould be applied to other type boat and watercraft lift systems andother type boats and watercraft. U.S. Pat. No. 8,911,174 is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety.

The disclosed embodiments of the invention are illustrated for awatercraft lift system that allows for simple installation and removalof the cover, better protection for the boat or other watercraft beinglifted, less view blockage, and better theft prevention. The combinationof these features saves the boater time before and after boating,reduces hull cleaning, reduces hull fading, and allows the owner tostore equipment, such as water skis inside the boat more securely.

According to the watercraft lift system disclosed herein, one may setthe forward swing arm angle by fully extending the hydraulic cylinder,and fine-tune the swing arm angle by changing the length of thehydraulic cylinder with a screw end fitting on the cylinder shaft. Toset the rearward angle, the cylinder shaft can be stopped by using shimson the cylinder shaft.

According to the watercraft lift system disclosed herein, the lift canalso be disabled using a limit switch on the cover mechanism thatprevents lowering when the cover is on the boat.

The hydraulics described in the U.S. Pat. No. 8,911,174 patent can beeliminated if the swing arms are pulled rearward mechanically as thebunks of the lift are raised, and visa versa. If the torsional springforce is strong enough to retract the cover, a cable can be used todrive the swing arms rearward, and the roller can pull the swing armsforward by pulling on the cover. According to another embodiment, arotational motor may be used to reel the cover in and out without usinga torsion spring.

In another embodiment, a mechanical stop is fixed to push the cover armrearward as the lift raises.

In a further embodiment, the high loads on the lifting cradle of theU.S. Pat. No. 8,911,174 patent maybe reduced by actuating the swing armusing a cable on a track that guides the cable to a distance away fromthe pivot to get reduced loads.

To simplify cover design, multiple hoops are positioned over the boat,so the cover rests on the hoops for much of the boat instead of theboat. The cover can still hook on to the bow, and the cover may touchparts near the rear of the boat. In another embodiment, the coverattaches to another hoop instead of hooking on to the bow.

As shown in the drawings for purposes of illustration, a boat 50 issupported by a boat lift 32 using port and starboard (left and rightside) boat lift bunks 48. The boat lift 32 may use rollers or othermeans for supporting the boat thereon. The boat lift 32 includes portand starboard forward lift legs 47 and port and starboard rearward liftlegs 49 which are telescopically connected directly or indirectlythrough cross-beams or otherwise to port and starboard side rails 30 ofthe frame of the boat lift 32.

Port and starboard swing arms 26 are, respectively, pivotally connectedto the port and starboard side rails 30 at port-side and starboard-sidepivot locations 61 by a pivot channel, and are each simultaneously movedby operation of a corresponding port and starboard hydraulic cylinder34. Each of the port and starboard swing arms 26 includes a lower basearm portion 41 and an upper arm portion 42 telescopically disposedwithin the base arm portion and by which the length of the swing arm canbe selectively adjusted to fit the boat 50 with which the boat lift 32is being used. The length of swing arm 26 is adjusted by sliding theupper arm portion 42 farther out of the base arm portion 41 or fartherinto the base arm portion, then securing the upper arm portion in placewithin the base portion.

The port hydraulic cylinder 34 has a lower end pivotally connected tothe port side rail 30 or another frame member of the boat lift 32, andan upper end pivotally connected to the port swing arm 26. The starboardhydraulic cylinder 34 has a lower end pivotally connected to thestarboard side rail 30 or another frame member of the boat lift 32, andan upper end pivotally connected to the starboard swing arm 26. Todeploy the cover 22, the hydraulic cylinder 34 may move from an extendedposition (shown in FIG. 1) to a retracted position (shown in FIG. 3).The retracting movement of the hydraulic cylinder 34 causes the swingarms 26 to move from a forward position to a rearward position. Theroller 24 allows the cover 22 to unwind and extend over the boat whilethe swing arms 26 move from the forward position to the rearwardposition. To retract the cover 22, the hydraulic cylinder is moved fromthe retracted position (shown in FIG. 3) to the extended position (shownin FIG. 1). The extending movement of the hydraulic cylinder 34 causesthe swing arms 26 to move from a rearward position to a forwardposition. The tension in the torsion spring 97 causes the roller 24 towind the cover 22 back into the roller 24 when the swing arms 26 movefrom the rearward position to the forward position. A controller in thehydraulic powerpack 66 may send a control signal to the hydrauliccylinder 34 causing the hydraulic cylinder to extend or retract.

The starting and ending position of a roller tube 24 is adjusted bypositioning the lower pivot 61 and lower cylinder pivot 62 along theside rail 30, and the upper arm portion 42 of the swing arm 26 in thebase arm portion 41 of the swing arm 26. The forward position of theswing arm 26 is set by adjusting the end fitting cylinder shaft 102 ofthe hydraulic cylinder 34. Screwing the end fitting cylinder shaft 102inward to the hydraulic cylinder 34 increases the angle of the swing arm(see FIGS. 12-15). Conversely, screwing the end fitting cylinder shaft102 out of the hydraulic cylinder 34 decreases the angle of the swingarm 26. The angle of the swing arm 26 in the rear position may beadjusted by stopping the full retraction of the cylinder shaft 101 usingshims 104 on the cylinder shaft 101, between the cylinder body 105 andthe shaft plate 103 (see FIGS. 14 and 15).

The roller tube 24 extends laterally between and is rotatable relativeto the end portions of the upper arm portions 42 of the port andstarboard swing arms 26. As seen in FIG. 9, a torsional spring 79 ispositioned within the roller tube 24 and applies adjustable rotationforce to the roller tube and hence a pulling force to a cover 22attached thereto.

In another embodiment, a motor (not shown) is mounted on one end of theroller 24 instead of the torsional spring 97. A controller (in hydraulicpowerpack 66) may send a control signal to the motor causing the motorto reel the cover 22 in or out as the swing arms 26 move. For example,when hydraulic powerpack 66 sends a control signal to the hydrauliccylinder 34 to retract (cover the boat) and move the swing arms 26 tothe rearward position, the hydraulic powerpack 66 may also send acontrol signal to the motor causing the motor to unwind the cover 22.Conversely, when hydraulic powerpack 66 sends a control signal to thehydraulic cylinder 34 to extend (uncover the boat) and move the swingarms to the forward position, the hydraulic powerpack 66 may also send acontrol signal to the motor causing the motor to wind the cover 22 backinto the roller 24. The motor and hydraulic cylinder 34 may becontrolled in concert to ensure that the cover 22 is not ripped orotherwise damaged. Alternatively, an actuation member may apply arearward load on the swing arm 26 so that when the motor lets the coverout, the swing arms 26 move rearward. The motor could be electric orhydraulic driven.

The front of the cover 22 has a pocket sized to accept therein the bowof the boat 50 when the cover is deployed to cover the boat (see FIG.2). A forward cover line 20 extends between the front of the cover and aforward end portion of a bow sprit 28 which has a rearward end portionattached to a forward transverse frame beam 46 of the boat lift 32 (seeFIG. 4). The forward cover lines 20 connect between the bowsprit 28 andthe forward section of the cover. In the preferred embodiment, oneforward cover line 20A attaches to a port side forward wing 64 of thecover, and the other forward cover line 20B attaches to a starboard sideforward wing 65 of the cover. A spreader bar 54 separates the port andstarboard cover lines 20A and 20B, and helps to prevent the cover fromsnagging on wide-bow boats. The forward cover lines 20 are depicted inthe deployed position and the retracted position in FIG. 1 (only coverline 20A being visible). Another embodiment uses a line extending fromport and starboard attachment points 44 and 45 on the cover to the boatlift frame directly, without using a bow sprit, such as to the forwardtransverse frame beam 46 of the boat lift 32 or to a bow stop accessorythat mounts to the boat lift bunks 48. Another embodiment uses a singleline attaching the front of the cover 22 to the boat lift 32. Anotherembodiment secures the front of the cover to a fixed point below the bowso a bow sprit 28 would not be needed.

The perimeter of the cover 22 has an edge pocket with an elastic cord 40extending through the edge pocket (see FIG. 6). When the cover 22 isfully deployed on boat 50, the elastic cord is tightened by beingwrapped around the roller tube 24 in the opposite direction than thecover for the first few wraps so that the elastic cord 40 is tensionedwhen the roller tube 24 is pulled aft, and is loosened when roller tube24 moves forward and the cover 22 begins to be rolled up on the rollertube 24.

The preferred embodiment of the cover 22 uses forward side wings 64 and65 which are designed to better secure the cover to the sides of theboat (see FIGS. 3 and 5).

As seen in FIG. 6, the aft end of the cover 50 is attached to the rollertube 24 with a multiplicity of elastic members 38 to assist to keepcover tight on boat 50.

The cover 22 has a plurality of interior handles 52 which assist theoperator in positioning the cover if needed.

The length of swing arm 26 is adjusted by sliding the upper arm portion42 farther out of the base arm portion 41 or farther into the base armportion, then securing the upper arm portion 42 in place within the basearm portion 41.

The lower pivot of swing arms 26 can be adjusted fore and aft by wherethe base arm portion 41 is attached along the side rail 30 to change theposition the pivot location 61 of each swing arm.

A hydraulic powerpack 66 operates the boat lift 32. After the lift 32 isin a fully up position, the control system switches the control to thecover, and the cover 22 can be moved to the ‘On’ position. When thecover is fully retracted, the control shifts to operate the lift,allowing the lift 32 to lower.

The illustrated embodiment is a hydraulic lift. In this embodiment, theswitching of control can be done hydraulically from the lift to thecover with sequencing valves which automatically switch the system from‘Lift mode’ to ‘Cover mode’ when the lift reaches the fully up position.The system switches back to ‘Lift mode’ when the cover is fully removedwhen the cover cylinder is fully extended.

The hydraulic powerpack 66 includes a hydraulic power unit 68, a controlbox 70, a hydraulic switching manifold 72 and a battery. The hydraulichoses 74 for the lift 32 and the hydraulic hoses 76 for the cover system10 connect to the hydraulic switching manifold 72. The battery 78 powersthe hydraulic power unit 68, and the control box 70 operates thehydraulic power unit 68. The hydraulic switching manifold directs theflow to the hydraulic hoses 74 for the lift 32 or the hydraulic hoses 76for the cover system 76. The control box 70 can be operated by a manualtwo way switch or with a remote control.

The roller tube 24 is torsionally loaded by the torsion spring 79 thatextends longitudinally within the roller tube, as shown in FIG. 9. Thetorsion spring 79 has a first end secured to a spring mount 95 attachedto the roller tube 24. A second end of the torsion spring 79 is attachedto another spring mount 94, which is connected to an end plate 90 via afriction clutch 80, a centering puck 87 and a ratchet plate 86. Theratchet plate 86 is constrained to rotate in one direction by a lockingpawl 88, as shown in FIG. 11. The torsion spring 79 is preloaded byturning a bolt 93, which turns a pin 92. The pin 92 turns the ratchetplate 86, centering puck 87, friction clutch 80 and spring mount 94. Thefirst end of the torsion spring 79 is restrained by the spring mount 95.

The roller 24 is designed to prevent over-torqueing or overloading thetorsion spring 79. If the torque exerted on the torsion spring 79exceeds a pre-set torque limit by either (i) excessive preloading byturning the bolt 93, or (ii) rotating the roller tube 24 too many timesduring operation, the spring mount 94 will slip to relieve torque. Thatis to say, the spring mount 94 will slip (rotate) relative to theratchet plate 86 and centering puck 87, with the friction clutch 80being between the relative rotating parts. This slip will relieve torqueload on the torsion spring 79, preventing damage. The pre-set torquelimit (maximum torque limit) on the torsion spring 79 may be set bycompressing a clutch spring 81 against the friction clutch 80. Theclutch spring 81 is positioned within and concentric with the torsionspring 79. The compression of the clutch spring 81 against the frictionclutch 80 is set using a double nut 96 on a threaded section of alongitudinally extending axle 91. The axle 91 extends concentricallywithin the torsion spring 79 and the clutch spring 81. Thisconfiguration effectively prevents over-tensioning of the torsion spring79 by using the friction clutch 80 as slip clutch.

A spring sock 97 between the torsion spring 97 and the roller tube 24reduces noise and wear, and separates the torsion spring 97 materialfrom the roller tube 24 material. In the preferred embodiment, thisroller assembly with slip clutch is used for an automatic boat coversystem with swing arms 26. Another embodiment would be for an automaticboat cover system that uses tracks to guide the positioning of theroller. Another embodiment uses a cover system having the rollerassembly with slip clutch to cover a wheeled vehicle with an open-boxtop, such as a dump truck, pickup truck, or a trailer with an open-boxframe.

The non-hydraulic version has the swing arm 26 mounted on a non-movingpart of a boat lift 32, or to the adjacent dock structure, or sea bed36. As the translating part of the boat lift 102 moves upward, the swingarm 26 is pulled rearward by a flexible actuation member 126. By way ofnon-limiting example, if the actuation member 126 is a cable, the cover22 may be reeled in on the roller as the lift is lowered, due to thetorsion in the roller tube 24, as seen in FIG. 16.

A preferred embodiment has a guide track 120 on the swing arm thataccepts the actuation member 126, as shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. Thisguide track 120 positions the actuation member 126 (cable) optimallyrelative to the swing arm pivot 61 to reduce peaks in loads in the cableas the swing arm 26 moves. The shape of the guide track support 121allows for clearance if the swing arm pivot 61 is mounted on the boatlift cradle support 122. In another embodiment, the cable actuatedautomatic cover system may be used in a portable 4 bar linkage boatlift, such as the boat lift 32 shown in FIG. 21. In this embodiment, thecable is pulled by moving parts, such as the bunks or lifting arms. Inanother embodiment, the swing arm 26 is pulled rearward with anactuation member 126 (cable), which is being pulled by a winch 128,shown mounted on the boat lift 32. Another embodiment has the winch 128mounted on the dock or piling 127.

Another method of preventing accidental lowering of the lift with thecover on is to include a limit switch 110, as shown in FIGS. 18A and18B. The limit switch 110 detects when a swing arm 26 is in a certainposition. For example, the limit switch may sense when at least one ofthe swing arms 26 are forward, and the cover 22 is on the boat. In FIGS.18A and 18B, the limit switch senses that one of the swing arms 26 arerearward and that the cover 22 is on the boat. A control systemconnected to the limit switch determines a position of the swing arms 26based on a signal sent from the limit switch 110. The control systemprevents the boat from lowering unless the limit switch 110 senses thatone or both of the swing arms 26 are forward and cover 22 is off.

In yet another embodiment, the cover 22 may extend over hoops 123 tocover the boat 32, as seen in FIG. 16. When the cover 22 is moved fromthe forward position to the rearward position, the cover 22 covers thefront of the boat 32, extends over the hoops 123, and covers the back ofthe boat 32. Hoops 123 may attach to the top or sides of guide posts 122of the boat lift 32. When the cover 22 covers the boat 32 and the hoops123, the cover 22 is partially supported by the hoops 122 and guideposts 122. The cover 22 may widen from the forward portion of the cover22 to a middle portion of the cover 22 that covers the hoops 123. Thecover 22 may also widen from the rearward portion of the cover 22 to themiddle portion of the cover 22 that covers the hoops 123. The cover 22is sized to fit around the hoops 123 so as to protect and cover a widevariety of boats without requiring custom fitting. Although two hoops123 are illustrated in FIG. 16, the cover system may instead have only asingle hoop 123. Alternatively, more than two hoops 123 may be used toaccommodate boats having a longer length or special needs.

The above described elements may be identified in the drawings asfollows:

-   -   10 Cover system    -   20 Forward cover line    -   22 Cover    -   23 Cover track    -   24 Roller tube    -   25 Anti-racking bar (not in text)    -   26 Swing arm    -   27 Arm stiffener (not in text)    -   28 Bow sprit    -   30 Side rail    -   32 Boat lift    -   34 Swing Arm Hydraulic Cylinder    -   36 Seabed    -   38 Aft cover elastic    -   40 Perimeter cord    -   41 Lower section of swing arm    -   44 Forward wing attachment (Port)    -   45 Forward wing attachment (Stbd)    -   46 Boat Lift transverse beam    -   47 Forward Lift Legs    -   48 Boat Lift bunks    -   49 Aft Lift Legs    -   50 Boat    -   52 interior handles    -   54 spreader bar    -   60 Upper cylinder pivot    -   61 Swing arm pivot    -   62 Lower cylinder pivot    -   64 Forward cover wing (Port)    -   65 Forward cover wing (Stbd)    -   66 Hydraulic Powerpack    -   68 Hydraulic power unit    -   70 Control box (RC)    -   72 Hydraulic switching manifold    -   74 Hydraulic hoses for lift    -   76 Hydraulic hoses for cover system    -   78 Battery    -   79 Torsion spring    -   80 Friction clutch    -   81 Clutch spring    -   82 Cylinder shaft    -   83 End fitting, cylinder shaft    -   84 Length Adjuster    -   85 Clip-on shims    -   86 Ratchet Plate    -   87 Centering puck    -   88 Locking pawl    -   89 Roller guide    -   90 End plate    -   91 Axle    -   92 Pin    -   93 Bolt    -   94 Spring mount (clutch side)    -   95 Spring mount (roller tube side)    -   96 Double nut    -   97 Spring sock    -   101 Actuation member    -   102 Translating part of boat lift    -   110 Limit switch    -   120 Guide track    -   121 Guide track support structure    -   122 Boat Lift cradle structure    -   123 Guide on    -   124 Hoop    -   125 Lifting cable    -   126 Actuation cable    -   127 Piling    -   128 winch    -   129 Pulley    -   130 Actuation cable end on translating part of lift    -   131 Actuation cable end on swing arm

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that, although specificembodiments of the invention have been described herein for purposes ofillustration, various modifications may be made without deviating fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

Accordingly, the invention is not limited except as by the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A watercraft covering apparatus for use with aframe that accommodates a watercraft having a bow and a stern,comprising: at least one pivot arm having a lower end portion pivotablyattachable to the frame and an upper end portion, the at least one pivotarm being pivotable between a first position wherein the upper endportion of the pivot arm is positioned proximate to a first end of thewatercraft when the watercraft is supported by the frame and a secondposition wherein the upper end portion of the pivot arm is positionedproximate to a second end of the watercraft when the watercraft issupported by the frame; at least one actuation member having anactuation member lower end pivotably attachable to the frame and anactuation member upper end pivotably attachable to the pivot arm at anattachment position between the lower end portion and the upper endportion, the actuation member being configured to selectively andpivotally move the pivot arm between the first position and the secondposition by adjusting a length of the actuation member; an elongatedroller having a side portion rotatably supported by the upper endportion of the pivot arm for travel with the upper end portion of thepivot arm as the pivot arm is pivotally moved between the first positionand the second position; and a watercraft cover substantially fullywound about the roller when the upper end portion of the pivot arm is inthe first position, the cover being sized to lengthwise extend over andcover the watercraft when the pivot arm is moved to the second positionand the watercraft is supported by the frame, a torsion springpositioned within the roller and operatively connected to the roller sothat as the roller is rotated in a first rotational direction thetorsion spring is wound tighter by the rotation of the roller and as thetorsion spring is permitted to unwind the roller is rotated by thetorsion spring in a second rotational direction opposite the firstrotational direction, as the pivot arm is moved from the first positionto the second position, the cover progressively mostly unwinds from theroller and is placed in position extending lengthwise covering thewatercraft, and the unwinding of the cover from the roller applies arotational force to the roller in the first rotational direction totighten and generate a spring force in the torsion spring and tensionsthe cover, and as the pivot arm is moved from the second position to thefirst position, the torsion spring applies the spring force to theroller to rotate the roller in the second rotational direction toprogressively wind the cover mostly about the roller and remove thecover from covering the watercraft; wherein the at least one actuationmember has a first elongated portion and a second elongated portion, thesecond elongated portion having an actuation member length adjustmentportion that is lengthwise extendable relative to the first elongatedportion and securable in a selected lengthwise position relative to thefirst elongated portion, and wherein the first position of the pivot armis adjusted according to the selected lengthwise position of theactuation member length adjustment portion.
 2. The watercraft coveringapparatus of claim 1, the actuation member length adjustment portion islengthwise extendable by twisting the actuation member length adjustmentportion relative to the actuation member using screw threads.
 3. Awatercraft lift apparatus for use with a frame for lifting and loweringa watercraft having a bow and a stern, comprising: at least one pivotarm having a lower end portion pivotably attachable to the frame and anupper end portion, the at least one pivot arm being pivotable between afirst position wherein the upper end portion of the pivot arm ispositioned proximate to a first end of the watercraft when thewatercraft is supported by the frame and a second position wherein theupper end portion of the pivot arm is positioned proximate to a secondend of the watercraft when the watercraft is supported by the frame; atleast one actuation member having an actuation member lower endpivotably attachable to the frame and an actuation member upper endpivotably attached to the pivot arm at an attachment position betweenthe lower end portion and the upper end portion, the actuation memberbeing configured to selectively and pivotally move the pivot arm betweenthe first position and the second position by adjusting a length of theactuation member, the at least one actuation member including anengaging portion; a mechanical stop disposed on the at least oneactuation member, the mechanical stop being configured to prevent theupper end portion of the at least one actuation member from movingtoward the actuation member lower end portion when the mechanical stopengages with the engaging portion; an elongated roller having a sideportion rotatably supported by the upper end portion of the pivot armfor travel with the upper end portion of the pivot arm as the pivot armis pivotally moved between the first position and the second position; awatercraft cover substantially fully wound about the roller when theupper end portion of the pivot arm is in the first position, the coverbeing sized to lengthwise extend over and cover the watercraft when thepivot arm is moved to the second position and the watercraft issupported by the frame; and a torsion spring positioned within theroller and operatively connected to the roller so that as the roller isrotated in a first rotational direction the torsion spring is woundtighter by the rotation of the roller and as the torsion spring ispermitted to unwind the roller is rotated by the torsion spring in asecond rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, asthe pivot arm is moved from the first position to the second position,the cover progressively mostly unwinds from the roller and is placed inposition extending lengthwise covering the watercraft, and the unwindingof the cover from the roller applies a rotational force to the roller inthe first rotational direction to tighten and generate a spring force inthe torsion spring and tensions the cover, and as the pivot arm is movedfrom the second position to the first position, the torsion springapplies the spring force to the roller to rotate the roller in thesecond rotational direction to progressively wind the cover mostly aboutthe roller and remove the cover from covering the watercraft, whereinthe at least one actuation member has a first length when the at leastone actuation member is in the first position and the at least oneactuation member has a second length when the pivot arm is in the secondposition, wherein the second position of the pivot arm is adjustedaccording to a position of the mechanical stopper on the at least oneactuation member.
 4. The watercraft lift apparatus of claim 3, whereinthe mechanical stopper includes a plurality of selectively removableshims.
 5. The watercraft lift apparatus of claim 3, the at least onepivot arm including a length adjustment portion, wherein adjusting alength of the length adjustment portion changes a length of the at leastone pivot arm.
 6. The watercraft lift apparatus of claim 5, furthercomprising: a torsion spring positioned within the roller andoperatively connected to the roller so that as the roller is rotated ina first rotational direction the torsion spring is wound tighter by therotation of the roller and as the torsion spring is permitted to unwindthe roller is rotated by the torsion spring in a second rotationaldirection opposite the first rotational direction, as the pivot arm ismoved from the first position to the second position, the coverprogressively mostly unwinds from the roller and is placed in positionextending lengthwise covering the watercraft, and the unwinding of thecover from the roller applies a rotational force to the roller in thefirst rotational direction to tighten and generate a spring force in thetorsion spring and tensions the cover, and as the pivot arm is movedfrom the second position to the first position, the torsion springapplies the spring force to the roller to rotate the roller in thesecond rotational direction to progressively wind the cover mostly aboutthe roller and remove the cover from covering the watercraft; and a slipclutch which is operatively connected to the torsion spring to limit therotational force the roller applies to the torsion spring as the pivotarm is moved from the first position to the second position.
 7. Awatercraft covering apparatus for use with a frame that accommodates awatercraft having a bow and a stern, comprising: at least one pivot armhaving a lower end portion pivotably attachable to the frame and anupper end portion, the at least one pivot arm being pivotable between afirst position wherein the upper end portion of the pivot arm ispositioned proximate to a first end of the watercraft when thewatercraft is supported by the frame and a second position wherein theupper end portion of the pivot arm is positioned proximate to second endof the watercraft when the watercraft is supported by the frame; atleast one actuation member having an actuation member lower endpivotably attachable to the frame and an actuation member upper endpivotably attachable to the pivot arm at an attachment position betweenthe lower end portion and the upper end portion, the actuation memberbeing configured to selectively and pivotally move the pivot arm betweenthe first position and the second position by adjusting a length of theactuation member; a mechanical stop disposed on the at least oneactuation member, the mechanical stop configured to prevent the upperend portion of the at least one actuation member from moving toward theactuation member lower end portion when the mechanical stop engages withthe engaging portion; an elongated roller having a side portionrotatably supported by the upper end portion of the pivot arm for travelwith the upper end portion of the pivot arm as the pivot arm ispivotally moved between the first position and the second position; awatercraft cover substantially fully wound about the roller when theupper end portion of the pivot arm is in the first position, the coverbeing sized to lengthwise extend over and cover the watercraft when thepivot arm is moved to the second position and the watercraft issupported by the frame; and a torsion spring positioned within theroller and operatively connected to the roller so that as the roller isrotated in a first rotational direction the torsion spring is woundtighter by the rotation of the roller and as the torsion spring ispermitted to unwind the roller is rotated by the torsion spring in asecond rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, asthe pivot arm is moved from the first position to the second position,the cover progressively mostly unwinds from the roller and is placed inposition extending lengthwise covering the watercraft, and the unwindingof the cover from the roller applies a rotational force to the roller inthe first rotational direction to tighten and generate a spring force inthe torsion spring and tensions the cover, and as the pivot arm is movedfrom the second position to the first position, the torsion springapplies the spring force to the roller to rotate the roller in thesecond rotational direction to progressively wind the cover mostly aboutthe roller and remove the cover from covering the watercraft; whereinthe at least one actuation member has a first length when the at leastone actuation member is in the first position and the at least oneactuation member has a second length when the pivot arm is in the secondposition, wherein the second length is adjusted according to a positionof the mechanical stopper on the at least one actuation member.
 8. Anautomatic covering system for covering a target object, comprising: acover being substantially sized to lengthwise extend over and cover thetarget object; an elongated roller extending in a first direction, theroller being configured to rotatably wind the cover around the roller; adeploying member attached to the roller, the deploying member beingconfigured to transition between a first position wherein the cover issubstantially wound about the roller and a second position wherein thecover fully extends over the target object, the roller having a sideportion rotatably supported by the deploying member for travel with thedeploying member as the deploying member is transitioned between thefirst position and the second position; a torsion spring positionedwithin the roller and operatively connected to the roller so that as theroller is rotated in a first rotational direction the torsion spring iswound tighter by the rotation of the roller and as the torsion spring ispermitted to unwind the roller is rotated by the torsion spring in asecond rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, asthe deploying member is moved from the first position to the secondposition, the cover progressively mostly unwinds from the roller and isplaced in position extending lengthwise covering the target object, andthe unwinding of the cover from the roller applies a rotational force tothe roller in the first rotational direction to tighten and generate aspring force in the torsion spring and tensions the cover, and as thedeploying member is moved from the second position to the firstposition, the torsion spring applies the spring force to the roller torotate the roller in the second rotational direction to progressivelywind the cover mostly about the roller and remove the cover fromcovering the target object; and a slip clutch which is operativelyconnected to the torsion spring to limit the rotational force the rollerapplies to the torsion spring as the deploying member is moved from thefirst position to the second position.
 9. The automatic covering systemof claim 8, wherein the automatic covering system is a coveringattachment mechanism mounted to a watercraft lift.
 10. The automaticcovering system of claim 8, wherein the automatic covering system is acovering attachment mechanism mounted to an open-boxed bed of a wheeledvehicle.
 11. The automatic covering system of claim 9, wherein thedeploying member is a pivot arm that is pivotably attachable to aportion of the watercraft lift.
 12. An automatic watercraft coveringsystem comprising: a watercraft lift apparatus including a frameoperable to lift and lower watercraft on a lift portion; a watercraftcovering apparatus comprising: at least one pivot arm having a lower endportion pivotably attachable to the frame and an upper end portion, theat least one pivot arm being pivotable between a first position whereinthe upper end portion of the pivot arm is positioned proximate to afirst end of the watercraft when the watercraft is supported by theframe and a second position wherein the upper end portion of the pivotarm is positioned proximate to a second end of the watercraft when thewatercraft is supported by the frame; an elongated roller having a sideportion rotatably supported by the upper end portion of the pivot armfor travel with the upper end portion of the pivot arm as the pivot armis pivotally moved between the first position and the second position;and a watercraft cover substantially fully wound about the roller whenthe upper end portion of the pivot arm is in the first position, thecover being sized to lengthwise extend over and cover the watercraftwhen the pivot arm is moved to the second position and the watercraft issupported by the frame; at least one limit switch configured to detectwhether the pivot arm is in a predetermined position; and a controllerconfigured to control (i) the watercraft lift apparatus to lift andlower the lift portion, and (ii) the watercraft covering apparatus tomove the at least one pivot arm between the first position and thesecond position, wherein the controller is configured to prevent thewatercraft lifting apparatus from lifting or lowering the watercraftresponsive to an indication from the at least one limit switch that thepivot arm is not in the predetermined position.
 13. An automaticwatercraft covering system, comprising: a frame operable to raise andlower a watercraft; at least one pivot arm having a lower end portionpivotably attached to the frame and an upper end portion, the at leastone pivot arm being pivotable between a first position wherein the upperend portion of the pivot arm is positioned proximate to a first end ofthe watercraft when the watercraft is supported by the frame and asecond position wherein the upper end portion of the pivot arm ispositioned proximate to a second end of the watercraft when thewatercraft is supported by the frame; at least one non-hydraulicactuation member having a first end attached to the at least one pivotarm, the actuation member being configured to selectively move the pivotarm between the first position and the second position; an elongatedroller having a side portion rotatably supported by the upper endportion of the pivot arm for travel with the upper end portion of thepivot arm as the pivot arm is pivotally moved between the first positionand the second position; and a watercraft cover substantially fullywound about the roller when the upper end portion of the pivot arm is inthe first position, the cover being sized to lengthwise extend over andcover the watercraft when the pivot arm is moved to the second positionand the watercraft is supported by the frame, wherein the actuationmember is configured to move the at least one pivot arm from the firstposition to the second position when the frame raises the watercraft,and the actuation member is configured to move the at least one pivotarm from the second position to the first position when the frame lowersthe watercraft.
 14. The automatic watercraft covering system of claim13, wherein the non-hydraulic actuation member is a flexible member, andwherein a second end of the actuation member is attached to a fixedpoint.
 15. The automatic watercraft covering system of claim 14, furthercomprising: an arcuate cam member having a guide track along an outerarcuate surface, the guide track being configured to accommodate alength of the attachment member therein, and the cam member beingattached to the at least one pivot arm and configured to rotate aboutthe attachment position in concert with the pivot arm.
 16. The automaticwatercraft covering system of claim 15, wherein the automatic watercraftcovering system is mounted on a four post cable watercraft liftingapparatus.
 17. An automatic watercraft covering system, comprising: aframe operable to raise and lower a watercraft, the frame including afour bar linkage structure; at least one pivot arm having a lower endportion pivotably attached to the frame and an upper end portion, the atleast one pivot arm being pivotable between a first position wherein theupper end portion of the pivot arm is positioned proximate to a firstend of the watercraft when the watercraft is supported by the frame anda second position wherein the upper end portion of the pivot arm ispositioned proximate to a second end of the watercraft when thewatercraft is supported by the frame; at least one flexible actuationmember having a first end attached to the at least one pivot arm and asecond end attached to a moving portion of the frame, the actuationmember being configured to selectively move the pivot arm between thefirst position and the second position the actuation member; anelongated roller having a side portion rotatably supported by the upperend portion of the pivot arm for travel with the upper end portion ofthe pivot arm as the pivot arm is pivotally moved between the firstposition and the second position; and a watercraft cover substantiallyfully wound about the roller when the upper end portion of the pivot armis in the first position, the cover being sized to lengthwise extendover and cover the watercraft when the pivot arm is moved to the secondposition and the watercraft is supported by the frame, wherein theactuation member is configured to move the at least one pivot arm fromthe first position to the second position when the frame raises thewatercraft, and the actuation member is configured to move the at leastone pivot arm from the second position to the first position when theframe lowers the watercraft.
 18. An automatic watercraft coveringsystem, comprising: a frame operable to raise and lower a watercraft; atleast one pivot arm having a lower end portion pivotably attached to theframe and an upper end portion, the at least one pivot arm beingpivotable between a first position wherein the upper end portion of thepivot arm is positioned proximate to a first end of the watercraft whenthe watercraft is supported by the frame and a second position whereinthe upper end portion of the pivot arm is positioned proximate to asecond end of the watercraft when the watercraft is supported by theframe; at least one non-hydraulic actuation member having a first endattached to the at least one pivot arm, the actuation member beingconfigured to selectively move the pivot arm between the first positionand the second position the actuation member; an elongated roller havinga side portion rotatably supported by the upper end portion of the pivotarm for travel with the upper end portion of the pivot arm as the pivotarm is pivotally moved between the first position and the secondposition; a watercraft cover substantially fully wound about the rollerwhen the upper end portion of the pivot arm is in the first position,the cover being sized to lengthwise extend over and cover the watercraftwhen the pivot arm is moved to the second position and the watercraft issupported by the frame; a torsion spring positioned within the rollerand operatively connected to the roller so that as the roller is rotatedin a first rotational direction the torsion spring is wound tighter bythe rotation of the roller and as the torsion spring is permitted tounwind the roller is rotated by the torsion spring in a secondrotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, as thedeploying member is moved from the first position to the secondposition, the cover progressively mostly unwinds from the roller and isplaced in position extending lengthwise covering the target object, andthe unwinding of the cover from the roller applies a rotational force tothe roller in the first rotational direction to tighten and generate aspring force in the torsion spring and tensions the cover, and as thedeploying member is moved from the second position to the firstposition, the torsion spring applies the spring force to the roller torotate the roller in the second rotational direction to progressivelywind the cover mostly about the roller and remove the cover fromcovering the target object; and a slip clutch which is operativelyconnected to the torsion spring to limit the rotational force the rollerapplies to the torsion spring as the deploying member is moved from thefirst position to the second position, wherein the actuation member isconfigured to move the at least one pivot arm from the first position tothe second position when the frame raises the watercraft, and theactuation member is configured to move the at least one pivot arm fromthe second position to the first position when the frame lowers thewatercraft.
 19. The automatic watercraft covering system of claim 18,wherein the non-hydraulic actuation member is a flexible member, andwherein a second end of the actuation member is attached to a fixedpoint.
 20. An automatic watercraft covering apparatus for use with aframe that accommodates a watercraft having a bow and a stern,comprising: at least one pivot arm having a lower end portion pivotablyattachable to the frame at an attachment position and an upper endportion, the at least one pivot arm being pivotable between a firstposition wherein the upper end portion of the pivot arm is positionedproximate to a first end of the watercraft when the watercraft issupported by the frame and a second position wherein the upper endportion of the pivot arm is positioned proximate to a second end of thewatercraft when the watercraft is supported by the frame; at least oneactuation member having an actuation member lower end pivotablyattachable to the frame and an actuation member upper end pivotablyattachable to the pivot arm; an elongated roller having a side portionrotatably supported by the upper end portion of the pivot arm for travelwith the upper end portion of the pivot arm as the pivot arm ispivotally moved between the first position and the second position; andat least one spacing member disposed between the roller and theattachment position; a watercraft cover substantially fully wound aboutthe roller when the upper end portion of the pivot arm is in the firstposition, the cover being sized to lengthwise extend over and cover thewatercraft when the pivot arm is moved to the second position and thewatercraft is supported by the frame, wherein the roller travels abovethe spacing member when the pivot arm is moved between the firstposition and the second position, and the spacing member is configuredto support the cover at a distance above the watercraft.
 21. Theautomatic watercraft covering apparatus of claim 20, wherein the atleast one spacing member is mounted on an upper portion of a watercraftguide post that extends vertically from water on a port side or astarboard side of the frame.
 22. A cover for use with an automaticwatercraft covering apparatus, the cover comprising: a first endconfigured to fit over and cover a bow or stern of a watercraft; asecond end configured to attach to an elongated roller of the automaticwatercraft covering apparatus; a middle portion between the first endand the second end, the cover widening from the first end to the middleportion and the cover widening from the second end to the middleportion, the middle portion being sized to fit over and contact aspacing member above the watercraft; wherein the cover is sized tolengthwise extend over the watercraft and the spacing member therebycovering the watercraft.
 23. An automatic covering system for covering atarget object, comprising: a cover being substantially sized tolengthwise extend over and cover the target object; an elongated rollerextending in a first direction, the roller being configured to rotatablywind the cover around the roller; a deploying member attached to theroller, the deploying member being configured to transition between afirst position wherein the cover is substantially wound about the rollerand a second position wherein the cover fully extends over the targetobject, the roller having a side portion rotatably supported by thedeploying member for travel with the deploying member as the deployingmember is transitioned between the first position and the secondposition; a torsion spring positioned within the roller and operativelyconnected to the roller so that as the roller is rotated in a firstrotational direction the torsion spring is wound tighter by the rotationof the roller and as the torsion spring is permitted to unwind theroller is rotated by the torsion spring in a second rotational directionopposite the first rotational direction, as the deploying member ismoved from the first position to the second position, the coverprogressively mostly unwinds from the roller and is placed in positionextending lengthwise covering the target object, and the unwinding ofthe cover from the roller applies a rotational force to the roller inthe first rotational direction to tighten and generate a spring force inthe torsion spring and tensions the cover, and as the deploying memberis moved from the second position to the first position, the torsionspring applies the spring force to the roller to rotate the roller inthe second rotational direction to progressively wind the cover mostlyabout the roller and remove the cover from covering the target object;and an elongated non-metallic tube positioned between the torsion springand an interior surface of the roller.